Here is a short three day tour itinerary for Manali. Narrow winding roads, majestic mountains and the swiftly flowing Beas make Manali one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. If you are planning a long trip to Manali, you won’t be disappointed. An adventurer’s retreat, the hill station has a number of uncharted and unexplored spots. A bundle of surprises, there is much to do and see in this lovely town.

Peaceful Town (by David Bacon)

Day 1

Considering you reach Manali early in the morning, you can begin by having a hearty breakfast in your hotel and resting for a while. After freshening up, you can start your tour with the Hidimba Temple, one of the famous temples in Manali.

Hadimba Devi Temple (from the official Facebook page)

Located about 2 km from the main market, this famous temple is situated on a small hillock. Nestled amidst towering pine trees, this pagoda style temple is a sight to behold. Away from the hustle-bustle of the main market, the temple is soaked in absolute peace and serenity. You will be charmed by the sheer art of amazing stone carvings that depict local deities, plants and various animals at Hidimba Devi Temple.

Reached by a small flight of stairs, there are benches around the premise where you can relax and treasure a few moments of peace and quiet. The picturesque surroundings offer ample opportunities for amateurs to click away. If you are in the mood to shop, you can also head to the nearby market and purchase some Himachali shawls.

Old Manali Market (by Kiran Jonnalagadda)

After this small spiritual outing, you can head to the market for some grub and a little bit of shopping. The main market of Manali is bustling with activity and is lined with numerous shops selling a number of delights. From woolen clothes, shawls to mufflers, gloves and socks, the market has everything you need. Amazing local handicrafts rule the shops in this crowded shoppers haven.

Pizza (by The Hungry Dudes)

Next, all the sightseeing and shopping is sure to get your stomachs rumbling. Thankfully, for all the foodies out there, Manali doesn’t disappoint you. You can choose to settle in for a meal at Pizzeria Restaurant. Offering you an entirely different view of the bustling market, dining here is a wonderful experience. Try their banana and nutella pancake or smoked chicken pizza and wash it down with a refreshing fruit juice or a sizzling cup of honey-ginger lemon tea. Extremely helpful, the staff here will assist you with anything you may need to know about Manali.

If Pizzeria doesn’t sound all that exciting, you can go to Shere Punjab for North Indian and their special trout preparations. You can also try Chopsticks for a Chinese meal.

Sesame Chicken Noodles (by jeffreyw)

After a hearty, lazy lunch, a little fresh air is all you need. A view of Manali’s astonishing beauty, a little contemplation besides the river bank and you have yourself a perfect day in this town.

As you walk towards the end of the market, you will spot a big green board of Van Vihar. Away from the busy market, this protected piece of land is maintained by government authorities. The vast forest area has a children's park complete with swings and slides and a small man made pond for boating.

Stream (by David bacon)

Perfect for a luxurious walk amidst nature, the Van Vihar is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. If you are in the mood for a little adventure, you could also head down to the rocks along the river and enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet. This quiet sojourn is one of the highlights of your three day tour itinerary for Manali.

As the sun sets, you can make your way back to the market and maybe settle in for a cup of coffee. If you have some more shopping to do, you could give the markets in Manali another glance. All the walking and shopping may get you hungry again. If you do decide to stay for dinner, you can head to Old Manali. A ten minute auto ride will take you to this forgotten spot.

A score of restaurants line the narrow lanes of Old Manali. Serving everything from North Indian food to Israeli cuisine, the eating joints here are warm and welcoming. Cafe 1947, Drifter's Inn and Cafe and The Lazy Dog are some of the places you can choose from. Here is more information about the innumerable wonderful places to eat in Manali.

A fulfilling meal later, all you want is the warm bed back at the hotel. Head back and prepare yourself for another exciting day in Manali.

Day 2

On your second day in Manali, there are a number of things you can do depending on your mood and the season. If you are adventure buff, you can either go rafting or trekking. If on the other hand, you simply want to admire the beauty of the lovely town, you can head to Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley and then spend some time in the hill station itself.

Gliding (by Abhijit Singh)

Rohtang Pass is open from April to November, if you happen to be here then you can set out on a two hour road journey to this snow wonderland. An entry point for Pangi, Leh Valley and Lahaul Spiti, Rohtang Pass is known for its unpredictable snowfalls and wind velocity. The view of the brilliant white snow covered pass knocks the breath out of you. Cover yourself with layers and layers of warm woollens and prepare to enjoy the stunning beauty of this overwhelming mountains.

If in case Rohtang is closed for the season, you could head to Solang Valley for some adventure sports and amazing views of the valley. A beautiful drive, scenic views of cascading mountains and the gently flowing Beas river will make this experience a wee bit more special. From Zorbing to Paragliding to horse riding, Solang is a wonderful adventure spot. If adventure is just not on your mind, you can pack in a big picnic basket and find the perfect picnic spot for a wonderful evening. There are innumerable shops selling delicious snacks and the good old maggie for the growling stomachs. After an action packed adventurous afternoon, some fulfilling grub will do wonders for foodies.

Rohtang Pass (by marksquared)

Solang Valley or Rohtang Pass, depending on where you go takes up most of the day. Yet, if you aren’t too tired, you can head back to the market for a satisfying meal or try one of these restaurants for an unforgettable dining experience.

To know more about the activities in Manali, you can check out these things to do in Manali.

Casa Bella Vista

With a rustic setting and a chilled-out ambience, this place offers a love-at-first-bite experience with the food on offer. Though the restaurant serves only vegetarian food, non vegetarians take heart, the food here is simply out of the world.

You could choose to sit outside and admire the majestic mountains surrounding the cafe or head inside for a warm and comfortable meal. Indulge in some pan-fried pizzas, spaghetti or fresh salads.

Casa Bella Vista(from the official website)

Johnson’s Bar and Restaurant

The cosy interiors offer the perfect amount of warmth to offset the chilly breeze. Enjoy a wood-fired pizza among other cuisines, and you’re sure to be coming back for more.

A hit with travellers and locals alike, this is one of the most happening and buzzing places in Manali. You could head upstairs to their beautiful terrace and savour a hearty meal under the brightly lit sky or settle inside for a warm, cozy meal. One of the only places in Manali for partying, evenings here as entertaining as lively.

Johnson's Bar and Restaurant (from the official website)

Quite a long day, isn’t it? As you head back to the hotel, reminisce about the lovely sights Manali offered you and you’ll be already awaiting your last day in Manali with much enthusiasm.

Day 3

On your last day in Manali, you can take it a little slow and enjoy the laidback ambience of this warm town. A little bit of sightseeing, some shopping and lots of lazing around is the perfect end to your action packed, memorable holiday here. As we bring this three day tour itinerary for Manali to a close, we also suggest a round of galli cricket to re-live those childhood memories!

Galli Cricket (by Senia L)

After breakfast, you can begin with Vashisht Hot Springs. Amidst a bustling market place, the Vashist Temple is soaked in a rich historical past. Touted as Vashist Muni's place of meditation, it is believed that Laxman from the Indian epic Ramayana had fired an Agni Vaan to the ground from where the hot sulphur water springs to this day. Soak yourself in Vashist Hot Water Sulphur Springs (across the famous Beas River) and feel the magic. The place has several modern bathrooms with Turkish style showers(connected to the spring through pipes). It is flocked by visitors who want to benefit from the medicinal properties of the sulphur spring as it is said to cure a number of skin allergies and other ailments.

Vashisht Temple (by Balajijagadesh)

A visit to this temple also offers you a colourful insight to the culture of this area along with an exciting shopping spree at the nearby market. With shops selling artistic handicrafts, woollens, Himachali shawls and Tibetan jewellery, the market is extremely crowded and perfect for your holiday shopping.

After this small sightseeing trip, you can head to Old Manali for shopping and a lovely lunch. Shopping in Old Manali is a completely different experience than shopping in the crowded, bustling market of New Manali. You will find funky T-shirts, beads, silver jewellery, colourful woollens and a wide range of old music cds in the small, quaint shops here.

Jewellery (by McKay Savage)

Take a lovely stroll around the narrow, winding lanes and explore some of Manali's hidden treasures. The rates here can be negotiated to a great extent so put your best bargainers' foot forward. Besides the great buys, you will be delighted by the intriguing tid-bits the shopkeepers have to offer. Explore more restaurants and shopping options in Old Manali.

For lunch, you can choose amongst a variety of restaurants. If you missed something on the first day, you can try it on your last day here. Lazy Dog, Cafe 1947 are some of the better options for a delicious meal. Here are a few more options for eating out in Manali.

As evening sets in, you can head to the entertaining Club House, located across Old Manali itself. Kids are in for a wonderful surprise at the Manali Club House. From video games, go carting to river crossing sprees, there's a little something for everyone. After a long day of sightseeing or an equally exciting day of shopping, you could stop here for a relaxing evening tea and some delicious snacks.

Club House (by Abdul Razzak)

If games are not on your mind, the view of the river, gently flowing by along with the melodious sounds of nature are enough to take you to a different world.

After a day well spent, your vacation in Manali comes to an end. As you head back to your hotel, don’t forget to soak in the peace and serenity of this beautiful place for the last time. Don't forget to check out these Manali tour packages for one of the most exciting trips!

There are numerous things to see and experience in Manali, provided you have the right information. With a host of exciting things to do in Manali, travelers can thoroughly enjoy the experience of exploring this destination. If you are travelling for the first time, the Manali travel guide may help resolve most of your queries about Manali. In fact, it is like a veritable information packed handbook on Manali tourism. All you need is a list of options on topics such as where to stay, what to eat, weather in Manali and places to visit in Manali and you can be guaranteed an awesome trip to Manali.